New York – One Vanderbilt Avenue
Represents indenture trustees, creditor groups, litigation trusts, debtors, and independent directors in complex restructuring and commercial disputes
Advises clients across bankruptcy, state, and federal courts on high-stakes litigation and rapid-execution legal strategies
Leverages prior experience as a legal analyst to evaluate legal risks through a commercial and investor-focused lens
Translates complex restructuring and insolvency proceedings into clear, actionable intelligence for nonlawyer stakeholders
Julia M. Winters focuses her practice on high stakes restructuring and commercial disputes, representing a diverse array of clients, including indenture trustees, creditor groups, litigation trusts, debtors, and independent directors. Julia serves as a trusted advisor in bankruptcy, state, and federal courts. She is a highly versatile litigator known for her ability to guide clients through prolonged legal battles and deliver targeted, highly efficient counsel when rapid execution is critical.
What sets Julia apart is her investor mindset. Drawing on her prior experience as a legal analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence and Octus (fka Reorg Research), she brings a strategic eye to every matter she handles, aiming for holistic solutions that advance her clients’ underlying business objectives.
Complementing her extensive legal skills, Julia is a strong communicator who excels at translating complex restructuring proceedings into clear, actionable intelligence for nonlawyer stakeholders.
Beyond her practice, Julia previously taught legal writing as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School. Her perspective is further informed by her foundational experience as a law clerk to the Honorable Elizabeth S. Stong of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Legal 500 US
- Represented former directors and officers of a retail company in lawsuit brought by litigation trustee*
- Represented an indenture trustee in a breach of contract action against the financing subsidiary of a multinational gaming and lottery group in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York*
- Represented a hospitality group in connection with purchasing substantially all of the assets of an international artisanal bakery chain*
- Represented independent directors in various high-profile bankruptcy cases*
- Represented an unsecured notes indenture trustee and official committee member in the Nine West bankruptcy*
- Represented a significant creditor in the Claire’s bankruptcy*
- Represented creditors in the LightSquared bankruptcy*
- Represented creditors in the ResCap bankruptcy*
- Represented creditors in the Salander Galleries bankruptcy*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
- Legal 500 US, 2021-2022
- Women We Admire, Top 100 Women Leaders of New York, 2021
- 100 Women in Finance, member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, member
- Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, member
- National Association of Women Lawyers, member
- Brooklyn Law School, JD, cum laude
- Hunter College, MUP
- The University of Michigan, BA
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York
- US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- English
Olena Tokman
Frankfurt
Advises fund managers on the structuring and formation of investment funds.
Advises institutional investors on investing in investment funds.
Provides regulatory advice to fund and asset managers as well as institutional investors.
Provides comprehensive advice on regulatory matters related to investment funds.
Olena Tokman advises fund managers, institutional investors, and financial institutions on investment funds and related regulatory matters. Her practice focuses on the structuring, formation, and ongoing operation of regulated and unregulated investment funds, as well as fund structures and investment platforms in the real estate, private equity, infrastructure, and private debt sectors. She also advises on related insurance investment questions, corporate and transactional matters.
Before joining McDermott, Olena worked with several international law firms in Frankfurt. She also led the legal and compliance function of a German alternative investment fund manager focused on real estate funds. She brings more than 18 years of experience advising clients on regulatory and transactional matters.
Ranked in
Chambers Europe, Germany: Investment Funds, 2026
Recognized in
Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Real Estate, 2021–2026
Recognized in
Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Investment Funds, 2026
Olena advised inter alia:
- Aurelius Private Equity*
- BASF Pensionskasse*
- BNP Paribas REIM*
- CBRE Investment Management*
- DWS*
- Helaba Invest*
- HSBC INKA*
- IntReal*
- Montagu*
- PGIM*
- Rantum Capital*
- Tikehau*
- TUI*
- Union Investment*
- Universal-Investment*
- Zurich Versicherungsgruppe*
*Matter handled prior to joining the firm.
- Chambers Europe, Germany: Investment Funds, 2026
- Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Germany: Real Estate, 2021–2026
- Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Germany: Mergers & Acquisitions, 2021
- Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Germany: Investment Funds, 2026
- Higher Regional Court of Nuremberg, Second State Exam
- Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, First State Exam
- Germany
- German
- English
- Russian
- Ukrainian
Jonathan Feiler
New York – 919 Third Avenue
- Advises alternative asset managers on fund formation, structuring, and product architecture, including private credit and hybrid investment products
- Counsels clients on capital formation, governance, regulatory compliance, and fund and management company operations
- Advises on complex commercial negotiations, strategic initiatives, and ongoing business matters
- Brings senior operating, legal, and compliance experience from leadership roles at leading alternative asset managers
Jonathan Feiler advises alternative asset managers on the design, formation, and operation of private investment funds and asset management businesses. His practice spans fund formation and structuring, product architecture, complex commercial negotiations, regulatory and compliance matters, governance, and ongoing fund and management company matters.
- Boston University School of Law, JD, cum laude
- University at Albany, B.S.
- New York
- English
Lauren J. Dalton
New York – One Vanderbilt Avenue
- Advises insurers, reinsurers, private equity funds, and other financial buyers on M&A, strategic investments, and complex insurance transactions
- Structures and negotiates sophisticated reinsurance arrangements
- Counsels clients on insurance regulatory matters
Lauren J. Dalton focuses her practice on complex regulatory and transactional matters within the global insurance industry. She advises domestic and international insurers, reinsurers, private equity funds and asset managers on sophisticated transactions, including reinsurance arrangements, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings.
With deep experience spanning life insurance, property and casualty insurance (P&C) and the non-admitted/surplus lines market, Lauren helps clients navigate intricate regulatory frameworks to structure innovative reinsurance agreements and execute strategic acquisitions. Her comprehensive experience includes guiding clients through insurer and captive formation, licensing, and credit for reinsurance matters. Lauren routinely engages with U.S. and non-U.S. regulators regarding the purchase, sale, and transfer of insurance companies and blocks of business. She also actively monitors evolving industry standards and regulatory developments at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Beyond her legal practice, Lauren has provided pro bono wills and estates services for low-income New Yorkers through Volunteers of Legal Service.
- Represented Aon plc with respect to legal regulatory matters for its acquisition of USI Insurance Services for $17B
- Advising various clients in connection with insurance regulatory approvals and filings (including Holding Company Act, bulk reinsurance and others) incident to insurance company mergers and acquisitions and other change of control transactions, restructurings, significant reinsurance transactions and affiliate transactions, and coordination with state regulators with respect to such approvals and filings
- Advising on compliance with state insurance regulatory laws, including governance, formation and licensing of insurers/reinsurers and captives, credit for reinsurance and other regulatory compliance matters
- Represented Farmers New World Life Insurance Company (FNWL) in a $1.8B strategic transaction with Resolution Life involving the cession of FNWL’s in-force individual life business to Resolution Life subsidiary Security Life of Denver, a flow reinsurance treaty covering the current range of individual life products, and retrocession to Swiss Re of all of the reinsured term life liabilities*
- Represented MetLife in its reinsurance transaction of a $10B block of variable annuity reserves to a subsidiary of Talcott Financial Group*
- Represented Protective Life Corporation, a US subsidiary of Dai-Ichi Life Holdings, Inc., on its $9.7B strategic reinsurance agreement with Resolution Life*
- Represented a global property and casualty insurance group with respect to the transition of key business lines between affiliates in 50 states through assumption reinsurance, as part of an internal restructuring*
- Advised a European reinsurer with respect to establishment of US operations*
- Advised a global life insurance group with respect to licensing and insurance sales practices and development of guidelines for company personnel*
- Advised a Cayman insurance group with respect to obtaining accredited reinsurer and reciprocal jurisdiction reinsurer status in the US*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte
- Association of Professional Insurance Women, member
- ISC Group, member
- New York City Association of Insurance Women, member
- WomenPlusGirls, mentor
- American University Washington College of Law, LLM
- University of Western Ontario, JD
- University of Western Ontario, BS
- New York
- Ontario
- English
Adria M. Crowe
Chicago
Adria M. Crowe focuses her practice on complex employee benefits matters arising in corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), spinoffs, divestitures, joint ventures, and restructurings.
- Best Lawyers, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, One to Watch, 2023 – 2025
- Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program, volunteer
- University of Wisconsin Law School, JD
- University of Minnesota, BA, magna cum laude
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- English
- French
- Spanish
Robert Rizzo
New York – One Vanderbilt Avenue
Advises private equity sponsors, growth investors, and portfolio companies on buyouts, growth investments, acquisitions, divestitures, carveouts, recapitalizations, and restructurings
Guides clients through complex domestic and cross-border transactions involving various jurisdictions, regulatory regimes, and stakeholder groups
Serves as outside corporate counsel to portfolio companies on add-on acquisitions, exits, financings, governance, and ongoing strategic matters
Brings experience from across the technology and software, consumer products, financial and business services, healthcare, media, and logistics sectors
Works closely with sponsors on platform investments, portfolio growth strategies, and liquidity events
Robert (Rob) Rizzo is global co-head of the Private Equity Group and advises leading large-cap and middle-market sponsors, growth investors, and portfolio companies on complex domestic and cross-border transactions across the investment life cycle.
- Advised EQT Partners in connection with multiple platform investments, acquisitions, and growth transactions, including its take-private of Billtrust and its transaction involving United Talent Agency*
- Advised PAI Partners in connection with significant US and cross-border transactions, including its carveout acquisition of Tropicana Brands Group from PepsiCo and its acquisition of Alphia*
- Represented Permira in connection with strategic acquisitions and portfolio company matters, including its acquisition of Octus (formerly Reorg)*
- Advised Cove Hill Partners, L.P. in connection with platform acquisitions, add-on transactions, and business combinations*
- Advised Nexa Equity in connection with acquisitions, divestitures, and other strategic transactions across its portfolio*
- Foundation for Education in Honduras, board member
- Cornell Law School, JD
- Georgetown University, BA
- New York
- English
Mark A. Baghdassarian
New York – One Vanderbilt Avenue
Mark A. Baghdassarian focuses his practice on intellectual property (IP) and general litigation matters, representing clients in high-stakes disputes involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, as well as complex commercial cases. He helps companies protect their innovations and defend against claims that threaten their business operations.
- Representing a leading satellite and digital audio entertainment company in a patent infringement suit brought by a Germany-based research organization, that involves the licensing and sublicensing of satellite communication networks*
- Represented a leading satellite and digital audio entertainment company against right of publicity claims brought by a former on-air personality based on the alleged use of excerpts of his appearances from archival episodes of “The Howard Stern Show” in online and on-air advertisements, securing dismissal of the claims as preempted by the Copyright Act of 1976 and successfully defending that dismissal on appeal before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit*
- Represented a leading satellite and digital audio entertainment company before the New Jersey Superior Court in a consumer class action claim concerning advertisements, securing a dismissal*
- The American Lawyer, Litigator of the Week, 2023
- New York Law School, JD
- College of William & Mary, BS, Chemistry
- New York
- Connecticut
- Supreme Court of New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- US District for the Eastern District of Texas
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York
- English
Jessica Lee
London – 22 Bishopsgate
Jessica Lee represents states, corporates, and individuals in complex cross-border and high-value commercial disputes, with a particular focus on civil fraud and asset recovery actions, company and shareholder disputes, and technology and blockchain related litigation.
She has acted on some of the most significant civil fraud matters in recent years, frequently advising on freezing, proprietary, and disclosure injunctions. Jess has substantial experience in the execution of search orders and delivery up orders. Her strong focus on technology disputes includes acting on crypto asset recovery matters and advising on contentious matters arising from crypto exchange insolvencies and decentralised finance protocols. She has also advised on significant investigations and compliance matters, including investigations by the US Department of Justice and the Serious Fraud Office.
Jess serves on the board of the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network (CFAAR), is co-editor of the GLP Cryptoassets Law Over Borders Comparative Guide, and contributed to the UK Jurisdictional Taskforce Legal Statement on Digital Securities. Prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Jessica was a partner in the London office of a leading international law firm.
- Acting for defendants in claims for unlawful means conspiracy relating to a telecommunications business
- Acting for a payments platform in recovering funds following a software error*
- Advised a HNWI crypto investor on claims concerning a decentralised finance platform*
- Legal 500 UK, Next Generation Partner, Fraud: Civil, 2026-2027
- The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom, 2026
- Chambers UK, 2026; Commercial and Corporate Litigation: Individual Representation, 2027
- Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network (CFAAR), board member
MiRi Song
Los Angeles
MiRi Song is a seasoned employment litigator and trial lawyer who represents employers in high-stakes disputes, including single-plaintiff and representative actions. She approaches each matter with a strategic, business-minded focus, helping clients navigate complex litigation and make informed decisions. Her practice includes managing all phases of litigation, from early case assessment through motion practice and trial, while working closely with company leadership to address sensitive workplace issues and mitigate risk.
- Secured a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against former employees in litigation involving claims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of the duty of loyalty*
- Advised a large wholesale produce distribution and sourcing company serving retailers, foodservice distributors, and manufacturers across the United States and Mexico on employee mobility, restrictive covenant, and competitive hiring issues*
- Prepared matters for jury trial in state and federal courts, including a recent bellwether action involving employee misclassification claims in the trucking industry*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte.
- Assistant United States Attorney of the Year, 2019
- California Lawyer’s Association for Service and Leadership, Labor and Employment Section, 2016-2019
- FBI Director’s Award, 2019
- Korean American Bar Association-SoCal, board of governors
Elisabeth Dehareng
Brussels
Elisabeth Dehareng advises clients across all areas of information technology and intellectual property law, with a special focus on privacy, cybersecurity, and AI. She provides strategic advice on European and worldwide data protection compliance projects, cross-border data transfer strategies, and cybersecurity and data breach management, covering advisory, public policy and enforcement aspects at local, regional and global level. She also advises clients on the data protection and cybersecurity aspects of corporate transactions and reorganizations.
Elisabeth has particular experience advising clients in all sectors on internal compliance issues, whistleblower protection legislation, investigations, and privacy/data litigation. In addition, she is regularly called to guide clients through regulatory developments and enforcement relating to the European Data & Digital Economy, including in connection with the DSA, Data Governance Act, Data Act, AI Act, NIS 2, Cybersecurity Act, Cyber-Resilience Act, and other legislation.
Prior to joining McDermott Will & Schulte, Elisabeth led the Data, Technology, Privacy and Cybersecurity practice at a leading international law firm in Brussels.
- Advised multinational companies on the impact of the EU AI Act and AI governance models*
- Advised multinational companies on requirements under the EU Digital Services Act, including provisions on transparency, content moderation and advertising on online platforms*
- Advised on the roll-out of internal reporting channels in line with the EU Whistleblower Directive and implementing national law*
- Advised multiple multinational companies on requirements under the EU GDPR, their interpretation by the Court of Justice of the EU and national data protection authorities, and their consequences for existing data protection compliance frameworks and strategies*
- Advised international groups on the scope and impact of the EU Data Act, in particular switching provisions and data portability obligations*
- Advised multiple multinational companies in their interactions with regulatory authorities in data protection, media and telecom sectors, including on new draft regulations at Belgian and EU levels*
- Advised on the data protection, privacy, and security aspects of corporate transactions and restructurings and their impacts on existing data protection compliance structures and transition services agreements*
- Advised a global medtech group on its data protection requirements in a highly regulated industry, including drafting and negotiating GDPR-compliant customer-facing and clinic-facing documents*
- Advised on the implementation of an online platform for patients, users, and healthcare professionals; the processing and sharing of health-related data on the cloud, as well as the transfer of health-related data worldwide*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
- Chambers Europe, Belgium, TMT: Data Protection, 2025-2026
- Legal 500 EMEA, Belgium, EU Regulatory: Information Technology, Leading Partner, 2024-2026
- Legal 500 EMEA, Belgium, EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection, Leading Partner, 2026
- The Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers, Privacy, Cybersecurity, AI, 2024-2026
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Stars, Copyright Star, 2025-2026
- Lexology Index 2026, Artificial Intelligence: Transactional and Advisory, pub. 2025
- Legal 500 EMEA, Belgium, EU Regulatory: Privacy and Data Protection, Next Generation Partner, 2024-2025
- Legal 500 EMEA, Belgium, Fintech, 2023-2026
- Legal 500 EMEA, Belgium, Intellectual Property, 2023-2026
- IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals), Member